Not necessarily a knee slapper by modern comedic standards -- modern comedy puts heavy emphasis on timing and surprise -- this is still a very funny film.

Zasu Pitts pronounced her name as "Say-Zoo". It was a family nickname derived from the first names of two relatives. When she decided to keep it as her stage name many in the industry warned her that it would probably be mis-pronounced. They were, of course right, but no matter how you say her name, she developed a stock character that was beloved by audiences for decades and is still appreciated long after her passing. Few actors could hope for more.

Pretty lame whodunit comedy about strange goings on in a house, a secret society, and yes, Zasu Pitts running around saying "Ohhhh" all the time. It's like they came up with the story and when Zasu became availible, they said "WRITE HER IN!". Really bad audio and editing too.

Love Zasu Pitts

Zasu, is an amazing star with a unique style. I just had to watch this movie all over again after becoming a fan of the old flapper. Mae Questel used a impersonation for the voice of the character Olive Oyl from the Popeye the sailorman cartoon series, and Olive seems to have Zasu's mannerisms too, which makes me love Zasu Pitts ever so much.

I liked this movie. I will give it 5 stars.

Zasu (pronounced Zay-Sue) does her best "Olive Oyl" impersonation walking around whining and ringing her hands or attaching herself to the policeman's laynard. I kept waiting for her to say "ohhh myyyy", but instead it's "something always happens to somebody."

The first time I saw this film I loved Zasu and found her character really funny. I've since seen her in other films where she does this same whining, uptight, fragile-flower routine. So, upon watching this film again I started getting a little annoyed with the constant whining and near hysteria over a piece of dust. But, there are some funny comedy bits here, and it's also a mystery movie as well. It's an interesting mix of mystery and comedy that actually works. The mystery plot holds together well through the camp of Zasu Pitts and James Gleason who plays Arthur Crimmer the policeman. The haunted Haouse is fun with many a secret passage and even a skeleton in the attic!

This is a very enjoyable 'old house' mystery. There's more misdirection than secret passages - and there are a lot of secret passages. Still, the best part for me was the comedy provided by Zasu Pitts and James Gleason.

I downloaded the MPEG1 file. The video and audio are OK. There are, unfortunately, some missing frames.

Why do you think this movie was chosen? IMO the dark & light visual contrasts for video & widely different voices for audio were the main reason. Note the Mideast guy was portrayed? Carl":

Yes, believe it or not! This is the first known feature film ever to be shown on television.
On the night of March 10, 1933, the Don Lee Broadcasting System in Los Angeles transmitted it over their experiment station W6XAO, sending an 80-line resolution picture to perhaps five receiving sets in the greater L.A. area.
W6XAO is now known as KCBS-TV, Channel 2.

Zasu Pitts lifts the film out of the average category with her trademark scatter-brained role, It's easy to appreciate why in 1933 Mae Questel caricatured Pitt's voice for Olive Oyle in Fleischer's Popeye cartoons.

For me, the only really awful thing about this film is the jokes, which were probably just as corny back in 1932.

It was mediocre, but still entertaining & enjoyable.

Don't get me wrong, I love her name, Zasu Pitts. Especially since it's her real name, not a stage name, seriously.
It's an okay movie though, but just okay. I'll rate it high so you won't be discouraged.

This film is a convaluted mystery/comedy with a mix of old dark house/crime solvers club/secret society of villians.

Sometimes you just can't tell what is going on as they seemd to have tossed just about everything into the mix. This is one mystery that will keep you guesing right up to the end, and I am not sure that that is a good thing with this film.

The best reason to see this film is for Zasu Pitts and James Gleason. They just seem to go together well.

There is a bit in this film which involves a skeleton and the same gag was used in the RKO film 40 Naughty Girls which starred both Pitts and Gleason.

All in all I would have to say this film is probably best enjoyed by fans of Pitts and Gleason.